File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 04, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Bank (BB) has launched a new Risk-Based Supervision (RBS) framework to restore confidence among depositors after years of sectoral stress. The central bank today moved away from a traditional, compliance-driven oversight model to a system that prioritises supervision based on the specific risk profiles of individual institutions. Through the RBS regime, the central bank will abandon a ‘one-size-fits-all’ model of supervision. Thirteen existing departments have been reorganised into 17 specialised units, including 12 bank supervision departments that will provide targeted oversight based on real-time data. Five additional specialised units have been created to focus on digital banking, data analytics, payment systems and policy formulation.

LOS ANGELES, United States, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - "Avatar: Fire and Ash" has surpassed the $1 billion mark at the global box office, as it kept the top spot in North American theaters with another $40 million in ticket sales, industry estimates showed Sunday. The third installment in director James Cameron's blockbuster series has now earned $306 million in the United States and Canada, and another $777 million abroad, putting the total at $1.08 billion, Exhibitor Relations reported. It is the fourth Cameron film to pass the $1 billion mark, with the first two "Avatar" films and "Titanic." In second place in North America was "Zootopia 2," Disney's feel-good animated film and an Oscar contender, at $19 million. "Marty Supreme," A24's period sports drama starring Timothee Chalamet, finished in fourth place with $12.6 million.

BAGERHAT, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Coast Guard, in coordination with the Navy, Naval Police, Department of Shipping and Bagerhat District Administration, conducted a joint operation today to ensure the safety of tourist vessels in Mongla. Passengers were also briefed on safety measures, while authorities checked whether passenger lists were maintained and vessel capacities adhered to. Vessel captains, masters, and crew were instructed to exercise greater caution and awareness during operations. Illegal structures built to carry additional passengers were removed, and warnings were issued that no vessel would be allowed to operate without proper fitness and a valid license. Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq added that the Coast Guard would continue such operations to ensure risk-free travel and the safety of tourists in the region.

DHAKA, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS) - Openers Naim Sheikh and Adam Rossington hit half-centuries as Chattogram Royals thrashed Sylhet Titans by nine wickets in their fourth match of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today. The victory looked imminent once Chattogram bowlers put a disciplined show to hold back Sylhet to a meager 126-7. Naim and Rossington made the victory a cake-walk by adding 115 runs for the opening stand as Sylhet raced to the victory with 24 balls to spare, reaching 130-1. Rossington, however, left the ground after ensuring the victory as he was unbeaten on 53 ball-73, hitting eight fours and two sixes. Unable to gauge the pressure, created by Chattogram bowlers, the middle order fell like a pack of cards, leaving Sylhet 34-5.

EC Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah delivered the speech as the chief guest at a view-sharing meeting at the Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner's Office on Sunday evening. Photo: BSSCOX'S BAZAR, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS) - Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah today said there would be no scope for exerting any unethical influence in the upcoming Jatiya Sangsad election. The Election Commissioner said strict measures would be taken to prevent Rohingyas from engaging in any election-related activities, adding that the Rohingya camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf would be sealed before and after the polls. Terming the national election crucial, he warned that failure to conduct it properly would have serious consequences, particularly for those responsible for maintaining law and order. Deputy Commissioner and District Returning Officer Md Abdur Mannan chaired the meeting, which was attended by senior officials of law enforcement agencies and the district administration.

MOSCOW, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Three out of four of Moscow's airports shut to air traffic on Sunday after Ukraine launched dozens of drones at the Russian capital, authorities said. The attacks led to multiple flight delays, including at Moscow's second-busiest airport of Vnukovo, Russian media reported. Ukraine, which has itself endured waves of Russian drone strikes throughout the nearly four-year war, did not immediately comment. Each of the airports -- Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky -- partially re-opened less than an hour later, he said in later posts. Russia, which launched a full-scale military assault on its neighbour in 2022, has repeatedly closed its airspace in response to the Ukrainian drone strikes.

Dhaka, Jan. 4 -- The Bangladesh Navy has detained 273 people while they were attempting to travel illegally to Malaysia by sea. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) disclosed the information in a press statement on Sunday, reports bdnews24.com. According to the statement, the navy carried out an operation late Saturday night in the sea adjacent to St Martin's Island, detaining 273 individuals along with a wooden boat as they attempted to leave the country illegally by sea. During initial questioning, all of the detainees said they were travelling to Malaysia through illegal means. The ISPR said suspicious movement of a wooden boat was detected about 30 nautical miles southwest of St Martin's Island by the Bangladesh Navy ship BN...To read the full article or to get the complete feed from this publication, please Contact Us

Photo : BSSKHULNA, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS) - A discussion meeting and doa mahfil were held at the Khulna Press Club (KPC) this morning seeking eternal peace of the departed soul of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. At the outset of the programme, participants observed a one-minute silence standing in honour of Begum Khaleda Zia. Prayers were also offered seeking the well-being of Tarique Rahman, son of late President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia. The discussion meeting and doa mahfil were held at the Humayun Kabir Balu Auditorium of the Khulna Press Club with Club Convener Enamul Haque in the chair. Speakers at the discussion said Begum Khaleda Zia is universally recognised as an unparalleled symbol of uncompromising leadership in Bangladesh’s political history.

The scrutiny of nomination papers by Returning Officers for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad Election will be completed on Sunday, while the Election Commission (EC) has also released the prescribed format for filing appeals against the acceptance or rejection of nomination papers. Md Ruhul Amin Mallik, Director of Public Relations at the EC Secretariat, told BSS that once scrutiny ends on Sunday, the Commission will announce the number of nomination papers accepted and rejected nationwide. The appeal must be submitted at the designated booth of the relevant regional appeal acceptance centre of the Election Commission. A sample of this form can be obtained from the central appeal submission booth of the Election Commission. The Election Commission will dispose of appeals submitted against the acceptance or rejection of nomination papers between Saturday and January 18, 2026.

Nomination papers of 723 candidates have been rejected on different grounds, Election Commission (EC) sources said. According to a notification of the EC issued today, candidates collected a total of 3,406 nomination papers in 300 parliamentary seats. Following scrutiny, the EC declared 1,842 nomination papers valid and rejected 723. Chattogram region: Of 194 nomination papers, 138 were valid and 56 were rejected. Meanwhile, appeals against the Returning Officers’ decisions regarding acceptance or rejection of nomination papers can be filed with the Election Commission starting tomorrow (Monday)

The sweeping bone-chilling cold wave coupled with cooler winds amid foggy and cloudy sky and no sunlight throughout the day, literally paralysed the normal life of people. Officer-in-Charge of Rangpur Meteorological office meteorologist Md Mostafizar Rahman told BSS that maximum temperatures increased sharply by 5 to 7.5 degrees Celsius and minimum temperatures rose by one degree Celsius in the region today. The deteriorating weather situation may continue in the next 24 hours across the region, he mentioned. Today, the minimum temperatures were between 11 and 12.1 degrees Celsius and the maximum temperatures were between 14.2 and 17.2 degrees Celsius, which reduced the gap between these two temperatures to the minimum. As a result, bone-chilling cold is being felt and the poor, distressed and displaced people are facing extreme hardship.

The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances today submitted its final report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in this afternoon. Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan and Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser Siraz Uddin Mia were also present. After verification, 1,569 complaints were identified as enforced disappearances under the Commission’s definition. Of these, 287 cases fell into the category of “missing and dead.”Commission member Nabila Idris said the actual number of enforced disappearances could be significantly higher. He also directed that locations of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances be mapped, in addition to the ‘Aynaghar’ (Mirror House).

Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 04, 2026 (BSS)- As there is no crisis of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the country, the energy ministry today asked local administration to take action against those responsible for artificial crisis. Another meeting was held in the ministry between the leaders of the LPG Owners Association and LPG operators with energy secretary in the chair. LPG association leaders and importers in the meeting said that retailers created the crisis taking advantage of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission’s re-fixing LPG price this month, it said. Local retailers have created an artificial crisis in the market,” the release said. In the meeting also decided that the LPG Operators Association will issue a statement today regarding the artificial crisis.

The National Equipment Identification Register (NEIR) system will remain suspended for the next three months, according to Masud Alam, deputy commissioner (DC) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Ramna Division. However, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has yet to officially confirm any decision regarding the postponement of the NEIR system. Representatives of mobile phone traders, who observed a nationwide shutdown of mobile phone shops on Sunday, also said they were unaware of any such development. Earlier in the day, at least 20 mobile phone traders were injured and 12 reportedly detained as police cleared protesters from several key intersections in the capital. Law enforcement used baton charges, water cannons, tear shells and sound grenades as traders staged sit-ins demanding the withdrawal and postponement of the NEIR system.

Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque on Sunday said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday expressed concern over mob violence and the growing insecurity of people’s lives and property. “He is worried about mob violence and the insecurity of people’s lives and property. “Another topic we discussed was the ongoing mob violence and the insecurity of people’s lives and property. Haque added Tarique Rahman also inquired about preparations in Dhaka-12 and assured cooperation, encouraging unity among BNP leaders and activists to support the alliance candidate. He said Tarique Rahman has assured that he will personally visit Dhaka-12 during formal campaigning and later other constituencies, reaching out to voters across the country.